Days 8-9 Ranthambore

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After a 7 hour train ride in comfortable AC chair I arrived at Sawai Madhoper. On the way I got chatting to a couple who lived 8 miles away from me - its a small world:-)

I had booked an all day jeep safari for the next day on-line, which meant that I had a 3 hour safari in the morning then laze about in the park for around 4 hours and then another 3 hour in hindsight I should have booked a separate morning and evening then I could go back to the hotel to get some food - little tip for my fellow travellers.

I stayed at the RTDC Vinayak which was uninspiring but it had beer and I had my first hot shower of the trip - woohoo.

The safari was great it was good to get out in the wild, I saw lots of birds, deer, antelopes, monkeys and boars but no bloody tiger!!!! I guess its just down to luck and I didn't have any on the day. The park consists of 400 square miles and there are 32 tigers so they are difficult to spot. The guide said the best time to come is April/May as the vegetarian is less so you can see better and the tigers cluster round the waterholes.

Despite most of the Indians associated with the tourist trade being merciless in the quest for your money the average Joe is very nice. After being conned on a rickshaw ride in Ranthambore the previous day I decided to walk in to town and back the following day. After I had been walking a couple of mins a guy on a motorbike stopped and offered me a lift into town and on the way back I got 2 other lifts as well.

Next day on to Agra

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Photos

A tiger's paw print
Just to prove that there are some there

A kingfisher
Named after a great beer:-)

Holy Man
This guy gave me a string bracelet that seems to be cutting off the blood supply to my hand:-)